Sprinkler head and valve control mechanism with compressed air means



13, 1962 c. TROPEANO ETAL 3,

SPRINKLER HEAD AND VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM WITH COMPRESSED AIR MEANS Filed June 12, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet -1 INVENTORS M 67" W ATTORNEY Nov. 13, 1962 c. TROPEANO ETAL 3,063,645 SPRINKLER HEAD AND VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 12' 1961 WITH COMPRESSED AIR MEANS 3 sheets sheet 2 g a y F J ll Q @i/ 1 94 ATTORNEY Nov. 13, 1962 Filed June 12, 1961 J. C. TROPEANO ETAL SPRINKLER HEAD AND 'VALVE CONTROL WITH COMPRESSED AIR MEANS MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l NVENTORS ATTORNEY I 3,063,645 Patented Nov. 13, 1962 ice 3 063,645 SPRINKLER HEAD AND VALVE CONTROL MECH- ANISBI WITH COMPRESSED AIR MEANS Joseph C. Tropeano, 20 Revere St., and Philip L. Tropeano, 12 Revere St., both of Lexington, Mass. Filed June 12, 1961, Ser. No. 116,588 3 Claims. (Cl. 239-206) This invention relates to fluid dispensing apparatus and more particularly to novel control valve means for vertically reciprocating dispensing heads of the type commonly referred to as .pop-up sprinklers. Apparatus of this class is presently employed in sprinkling lawns, golf fairways and similar areas where a controlled amount of water is required to be applied to the ground regularly. This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed applications, Serial No. 44,982 filed July 25, 1960, now Patent No. 2,989,247, and Serial No. 71,664 filed November 25, 1960.

Sprinklers of the pop-up type are customarily connected to an underground water main and consist essentially of a reciprocating sprinkler head which rises out of the ground in response to water pressure and revolves to throw a stream of water over a desired area. Operation of the sprinkler is controlled by means of valve mechanisms which are ordinarily connected to the supply main and which may comprise any one of a number of well-known types of valve assemblies. For some types of installation, conventional forms of control valve mechanisms are adequate, but in other cases it has been found that these conventional valve controls are subject to certain disadvantages relating to cost of installation and maintenance, especially when used underground. For example, in some cases an electrical device such as a solenoid may be desirable, while in other cases the use -ma-intain the total number of parts at a minimum for reasons of economy and servicing, as well as to provide for satisfactory drainage of water for winter protection.

It is a chief object of the invention, therefore, to provide improved control valve means particularly suited for use with fluid dispensing systems and which provides greater accessibility underground, more positive operation, ease of installation and maintenance, and which can insure complete drainage for winter protection.

Another important object of the invention is to devise a novel valve arrangement of the class described and to combine this with actuating means which may or may not include an electrical switching device such as a solenoid.

These and other objects and novel features will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a pop-up type sprinkler apparatus shown in a nested position below ground level in close proximity to a water supply main and further indicating one type of electrical control valve mechanism of the invention in a position to hold th sprinkler head out of operation;

FIG. 2 is another View in cross section of the appa- 'ratus shown in FIG. 1, but illustrating the valve mechanism in a raised position to provide for flow of water out of a raised sprinkler head member;

FIG. 3 is a plan view taken on the line 3-3 of 4 FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of sprinkler apparatus illustrating another desirable form of control valve mechanism in which no electrical components are employed; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the control Valve of FIG. 4 shown in an open or dispensing position.

The principal parts of my invention include a sprinkler head, a valve control for the head, and two diflerent actuator means for causing the valve control to operate in one case by electrical switch and in the other by mechanical valve. Both of these arrangements are desirable and act in response to fluid pressure. The electrically controlled will be considered first.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, numeral 2 denotes a fluid dispensing apparatus which is shown in FIG. 1 in a stored or nested position in a special sprinkler receptacle 4, in turn recessed in the ground 6 as suggested diagrammatically. As may be more clearly seen from an inspection of FIG. 3, the receptacle 4 constitutes a relatively narrow enclosure body which generally corresponds to the elongated shape of the fluid dispensing body 2.

The arrangement of fluid dispensing apparatus shown in the drawings is intended to be illustrative of any one of a number of well-known fluid dispensing structures and the particular form of dispensing head shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is commonly referred to as a lawn sprinkler of the so-called pop-up type. In devices of this class, water is thrown out in a rotating stream from an elongated nozzle '8 which is raised into a position as shown in FIG. 2. As this device rises and rotates in response to water pressure, in accordance with principles of operation which are well-known in the art, it is believed that no detailed explanation of this conventional dispensing structure is necessary in the present application.

With respect to the receptacle structure, however, it should be noted that the elongated receptacle 4, together with special guide means for guiding the sprinkler head 2 into properly nested relationship with respect to receptacle 4, has been described and claimed in our co-pending applications, Serial No. 44,982 filed July 25, 1960, for Sprinkler Head Receptacle," now Patent No. 2,989,247, and Serial No. 71,664 filed November 25, 1960, for Sprinkler Head Receptacle and Valve Control Means.

This receptacle and guide mechanism includes a top plate 10 which is adapted to close the opening of the receptacle 4 in a lowered position as shown in FIG. 1. Also included in the guide means is a special guide element 12 which is secured to the top plate 10 and which is formed with a lower helical portion 12a. The helical portion surrounds the lower tubular extremity of the sprinkler head which is received in a tubular section 14 of the receptacle. In this tubular section 14 is secured a post 16 (FIG. 2). The helical portion 12a is arranged to slidably engage and pass around the post 16 so that the sprinkler head is automatically guided into a correct position for nesting as it is lowered in response to drop in water pressure. It will be understood that the valve control mechanism of the present invention, as hereinafter disclosed, is not intended to be limited to this or any other particular form of fluid dispensing head or guide mechanism for the head.

However, in one preferred embodiment of our invention, we combine with a suitable tubular body, such as the tubular section 14, for example, a vertically reciprocating hollow valve V which is attached to the sprinkler head 2 by means of a cylindrical fluid conduit 20. The conduit 20 communicates with the internal chamber of the sprinkler through which water pressure acts in the conventional manner to raise the sprinkler head and cause it to rotate as a stream of Water is thrown outwardly through the nozzle 8. We further connect to the tubular section 14 a relatively smaller diameter cylinder 22 in which is secured an annular sealing member 24 for slidably supporting the fluid conduit 20, as howninFIG. 1.

The cylinder 22 includes a reduced bottom section 26 in which is slidably supported the valve V on upper and lower sealing rings VI and V2. The sealing rings V1 and V2 are retained in ring grooves formed in respective upper and lower plunger sections P1 and P2 of valve V. The sidewall of valve V is also formed with passageway as 30 for admitting water and conducting it through the fluid conduit 29 to the sprinkler actuating mechanism above-noted.

In accordance with the invention, we provide two inlets for admitting water at points above and below the respective upper and lower plunger sections P1 and P2 of the valve V. One of these inlets is denoted by numeral 32 and is formed through the sidewall of member 22 while the other inlet is comprised by the fitting 34 which communicates with the bottom space in the member 26.

Water under pressure is furnished from a water main M extending underground at some desired location and is led through a feed pipe 36 running from the main M and connected into the fitting 38 to provide a passageway which communicates with the inlet 32. In the fitting 38 is a three-way solenoid valve 42 of well-known type. A second feed pipe 40 is connected between the fitting 34 and the solenoid valve 42.

The arrangement of the three-way valve is such that in one position of the solenoid flow of water is shut off with respect to the pipe 40. However, water is admitted to chamber R and exerts pressure on plunger section P1. In a second position of the solenoid 42 a flow of water is provided for through the pipe 4-0 into chamber F.

An important feature of the invention is the combination with this solenoid valve arrangement of a valve having an upper plunger section P1 which presents a relatively small surface area, and a lower plunger section P2 presenting a relatively large surface area. By means of this arrangement with the solenoid valve open to permit a flow of Water through the inlet 32, water pressure in chamber R acts on the plunger section P1, forcing the valve V into a completely lowered position in the member 26. When, however, a flow of water is admitted through the pipe 40 into the chamber F,

pressure enters around the bevelled surface of the bottom plunger section P2 and as this pressure acts over an appreciably larger surface area, the valve member B is caused to rise into a position such as that shown in FIG. 2.

In this position of FIG. 2, it will be observed that the passageways 30 are brought into register with the inlet openings 32 and thus a flow of water may take place through the valve V and upwards along the conduit 20 to actuate the sprinkler head. In an uppermost position valve V seats against the annular sealing member 24 as shown in FIG. 2.

Return of valve V to a position in the bottom of the member 26 is accomplished by interrupting flow of water through the pipe 40 by means of the solenoid valve arrangement described. As soon as flow of water stops in pipe 40 with valve V in position, as shown in FIG. 2, pressure within the chamber S acts on plunger surface W to force this member downwardly. Water in chamber F is vented out through the bottom of the member 26 and then through a vent in solenoid 42. It will be observed that as the valve moves downward the passages 30 are closed. Downward pressure then acts on the top of plunger section P1 to complete travel of the valve V downwardly,

It will be apparent from the above description that an 'ting 38'.

etficient and simplified valve control mechanism is provided and the necessity for an expensive separate remote control valve is eliminated. The solenoid member 38 may, if desired, be electrically operated from a desired remote control station through an electrical conductor C or, if desired, other types of hydraulically operated valve arrangements may be employed. It is pointed out that the assembly of parts described is greatly simplified since fewer fittings are employed and the installation is facilitated. It will also be observed that the drainage for winter protection can be carried out more completely and positively since the return of the valve tends to force any water out through the bottom of the member 26. It should also be appreciated that the combination of the annular sealing member 24 for supporting the conduit 29, together with the dual sealing ring arrangement for the valve V in the member 26, tends to provide an exceedingly firm support for the reciprocated movement of the sprinbler head and a longer wearing life is accomplished.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, I have shown another important form of the invention in which no electrical component is employed and which may, in some types of installation, be preferred over the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. As illustrated in FIG. 4 a member 2' generally corresponding to the fluid dispensing body 2 in FIG. 1 is recessed in the ground 6'. This member includes a body portion 4 which defines an elongated space for receiving a pop-up nozzle 8. This structure supports a plate 10' which is adapted to close the opening of the member 4'. Similarly, the structure includes a guide 12' which is secured to the top plate 10 and which is formed with a lower helical portion 12a received in a tubular extension 14'.

The same valve mechanism, already described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive, is employed in the structure of FIGS. 4 and S with corresponding parts having similar but primed numerals. V denotes a hollow valve body attached to the sprinkler head 2 by means of cylindrical fluid conduit 20. The conduit 29', in the manne already described, communicates with the internal chamber of the sprinkler head 2. Connected to the tubular section 14' is a cylinder 22' in which is secured an annular sealing member 24 for slidably supporting the conduit 20.

The cylinder 22 includes a reduced bottom section 26' in which is slidably supported the valve V on upper and lower sealing rings V1 and V2. The sealing rings B1 and B2 are received in ring grooves formed in the upper and lower plunger sections P1 and P2 of V'. Passageways as 30' are formed through the side wall of the valve V to admit water and conduct it through conduit 20' to the sprinkler actuating mechanism.

Water is admitted at points above and below the upper and lower plunger sections P1 and P2. One inlet is indicated by numeral 32' while another inlet is comprised by the fitting 34'. The upper plunger section has a very small exposed space, while the lower plunger section has a relatively large exposed surface.

Water under pressure is furnished from a water main M and is led through a pipe 36' connected into the fit- The pressure of the water normally seeks to force the plunger section P1 downwardly so as to maintain it in a position such as that shown in FIG. 4. In this position the sprinkler'head is fully recessed and not operative.

In accordance with this form of the invention, I provide for operating the sprinkler head by utilizing a separate source of fluid pressure which is arranged to act on the bottom plunger section P2 when the latter member is in the position shown in FIG. 4. The fluid pressure may be exerted by compressed air, water, or other fluid bodies and preferably may consist of compressed air delivered from an air compressor not shown in the drawings, through a conduit 40 and then through a connecting pipe 42 which communicates with the space below the bevelled plunger surface P2.

It will be understood that by employing a fiuid pressure in excess of the water pressure in the main M, the plunger P2 may be forced upwardly into the operating position shown in FIG. 5 and the sprinkler head will then operate in the manner already described. In employing liquids or gases utilized at a sufiiciently excess pressure to overcome water pressure, it will be readily understood that we may control this excess pressure at a remote point from the sprinkler head, for example, in a control station or other desired locality. This may have particular advantage where a considerable number of supply lines are controlled from one central station to deal with a relatively large area.

While we have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and particularly described it in connection with a water main and a water sprinkler apparatus, it should be understood that the control valve mechanism of the invention may be combined with various other types of sprinkler heads and likewise the valve control system may be utilized to selectively control flow and dispensing of other fiuids than water such as, for example, products used in connection With spraying of farm land and various other activities.

We claim:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a receptacle adapted to be mounted in recessed relationship in the soil, a vertically reciprocating sprinkler head having a closed tubular conduit for conducting a fiow of water upwardly to the sprinkler head and raising the sprinkler head into a vertically extending position with respect to the receptacle, said receptacle being formed at its lower side with a reduced tubular extension, gasket means mounted in the tubular extension for sealably supporting the tubular conduit of the sprinkler head in a retracted position, a cylindrical valve body secured at the lower end of the said tubular conduit and presenting along intermediate peripheral portions thereof a plurality of water inlets for receiving a flow of water and conducting the flow upwardly through the said tubular conduit to the sprinkler head, upper and lower sealing ring means mounted in the cylindrical valve body at points immediately above and below the said Water inlets, the bottom of said valve body being closed to provide a circular lifting pressure surface of relatively large area, and said valve body being further recessed at points between the lower sealing ring means and the said water inlets to define an annular retracting pressure surface which is of smaller surface area than the area of the said lifting pressure surface, means for introducing a fluid into the bottom of the said tubular conduit of the sprinkler head and exerting pressure against said lifting pressure surface of the valve body thereby to raise the valve body md sprinkler head to a vertically extending position, and means for supplying a flow of water through the said water admitting aperture of the tubular conduit at a time when the sprinkler head reaches its fully extended position and the valve body inlets are in register with the water admitting aperture whereby a discharge of water is prevented until the sprinkler head is in a fully raised position and is instantly terminated when the sprinkler head starts to fall away from its fully extended position.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1 in which the means for introducing fluid into the bottom of the said tubular conduit consists in a source of water occurring at the same pressure as that of the water supply through the water admitting aperture.

3. A structure according to claim 1 in which the means for introducing said fluid into the bottom of the said tubular conduit consists in a source of compressed air and the compressed air is under a pressure greater than the pressure of the water supplied to the water admitting apertures.

Johnson Feb. 26, 1924 Lacy-Mulhall Aug. '6, 1940 

